Drawer side wall

ABSTRACT

A side wall for a drawer defined by a substantially vertical panel member having an outwardly offset lower margin which is interconnected to the remainder of the panel member by a substantially horizontal web. A flange extends inwardly from an intermediate portion of the offset lower margin and cooperates with the web and offset lower margin to define a channel for the receipt of a side margin of a drawer bottom.

ll ite States Hartman 1 Mar. 27, 1973 [54] DRAWER SIDE WALL [76] Inventor: David A. Hartman, 3226 Vernon Ave., Elkhart, Ind. 46514 [22] Filed: July 15, 1969 [21] App]. No.: 841,809

[52] US. Cl ..312/330, 312/195' [51] Int. Cl. ..A47b 88/00 [58] Field of Search ..312/330, 330 SM, 195, 346, 312/273; 220/4 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,701,174 2/1955 Franks ..312/330 X 3,184,095 5/1965 Brandon et a1.. ..220/4 X 3,312,516 4/1967 Krahn ..312/330 3,273,952 9/1966 Himelreich et a1.. ..312/330 3,315,834 4/1967 Nemlich ....312/33O SM 2,678,866 5/1954 Merrett.... ..312/349 2,952,039 9/1960 Jaffe ..220/4 X 3,332,730 7/1967 Rubin et al. ..312/330 3,160,448 12/1964 Abernathy et a1.. ....312/346 X 3,612,639 10/1971 Williams ..312/330' 3,556,626 1/1971 Schock ..312/330 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,085,624 10/1967 Great Britain ..312/330 Primary Examiner-George V. Larkin Att0mey0ltsch & Knoblock [57] ABSTRACT A side wall for a drawer defined by a substantially ver tical panel member having an outwardly offset lower margin which is interconnected to the remainder of the panel member by a substantially horizontal web. A flange extends inwardly from an intermediate portion of the offset lower margin and cooperates with the web and offset lower margin to define a channel for the receipt of a side margin of a drawer bottom.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented March 27, 1973 INVEN OR. DAV/D A. HAR /WAN BY@M efMwk A TTO YS DRAWER sum WALL SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a side wall for a drawer and comprises a substantially vertical panel member having an outwardly offset lower margin which is interconnected to the remainder of the panel member by a substantially horizontal web. The panel member includes an integral flange which projects inwardly from the off set lower margin between the lower edge of the panel member and the web to define in cooperation with the offset lower margin and web a channel for the receipt of a side margin of a drawer bottom.

One of the advantages of the drawer side wall of this invention is that nails, staples, or similar attachment means may be driven downwardly through the channel defining side wall web and flange and margin of the drawer bottom inserted therebetween with the material piercing ends of the attachment means slightly protruding through the flange and bent over thereagainst, if desired, to firmly secure the drawer bottom to the side wall. The ends of the attachment means which protrude from the side wall flange will be positioned inwardly of the offset lower margin, and thus are hidden from view after the drawer is assembled and located so as to prevent the cutting or scratching of the drawer user when the drawer is handled or removed from its supporting structure.

In U. S. Pat. No. 3,273,952, the channel for receiving the side margin of the drawer bottom part protrudes inwardly into the drawer space and, unlike the subject invention, thereby prevents a sharp corner from being formed at the junction of drawer side wall and bottom part. In U. S. Pat. No. 3,312,516, any staples or nails driven downwardly through the channel defining portions of the drawer side frame which receive a side margin of the drawer bottom will protrude through the lower flange part of the channel, thereby detracting from the appearance of the drawer and presenting a hazard to the drawer user should he grasp the sides of the drawer to remove it from its supporting structure.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a drawer side wall which can be economically produced and which accommodates rapid assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drawer side wall which accommodates attachment of the front, bottom and back components of the drawer thereto by means of staples or nails.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a drawer side wall which accommodates the attachment of the drawer'bottom thereto by means of vertically driven staples or nails positioned outwardly of the inner drawer area and substantially hidden from view.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon a reading of the inventions description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the drawer side wall of this invention.

FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of a modified form of the drawer side wall of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the drawer side wall of FIG. 1 showing in fragmentary form a drawer bottom attached thereto.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the drawer side wall of this invention showing in fragmentary form a drawer bottom attached thereto.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the drawer side wall of this invention showing in fragmentary form a drawer bottom attached thereto.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the drawer side wall of this invention showing in fragmentary form a drawer bottom attached thereto.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the drawer side wall of this invention showing in fragmentary form a drawer bottom attached thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments illustrated are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. They are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

Each embodiment of the drawer side wall of this invention illustrated in FIGS. L6 may be made of a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and is preferably formed into desired shape by extrusion and then transversely cut into desired lengths.

The embodiment of the drawer side wall.illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a substantially vertical panel part 10 which has a lower edge 12 and a substantially parallel upper edge 14. A substantially horizontal web 16 projects outwardly from lower edge 12 of panel part 10. A marginal part 18 extends downwardly from the outermost edge 17 of web 16 and terminates in a lower edge 20 which substantially parallels upper edge 14 of panel part 10. Marginal part 18 and panel part 10 preferably lie in substantially parallel planes. A flange 22 projects inwardly from marginal part 18 between lower edge 20 of marginal part 18 and web 16 and cooperates with web 16 and part 18 to define a channel 24 which opens inwardly. Flange 22 preferably parallels web 16, but may be slightly upwardly inclined, as shown in FIG. 1A, so as to provide a restricted opening for channel 24, and includes an end edge 26 which preferably lies in substantially the same plane as panel part 10. Upper edge 14 of panel part 10 preferably has formed therewith a reinforcing rim comprising a web 28 which extends substantially horizontally outwardly from edge 14 and which terminates in a depending lip 30.

FIG. 2 is illustrative of how a drawer bottom can be secured to the above described side wall. A side margin 34 of the drawer bottom is inserted into channel 24, preferably fitting snugly between web 16 and flange 22 of thedrawer side wall as shown. When utilizing a side wall of the construction shown in FIG. 1A, inclined flange 22 is adapted to be slightly flexed so as to vary the size of the opening of channel 24 and thereby accommodate drawer bottoms of varying thicknesses. Attachment means, such as staples 36 (only one shown), longitudinally spaced along web 16 are driven downwardly through web 16, bottom side margin 34 and flange 22 to firmly attach the drawer bottom to the drawer side wall. Although it is preferable to use stapies, nails or similar attachment means to anchor the bottom to the side wall, it is to be understood that an adhesive or similar bonding agent applied between web 16, flange 22 and bottom margin 34 could also be used.

The embodiment of the drawer side wall illustrated in FIG. 3 is of similar construction as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 with the exception that a substantially horizontal lower flange 40 extends inwardly from lower edge 20 of marginal part 18. Flange 40 preferably extends from part 18 to at least the plane of panel part of the drawer side wall, and, in addition to providing reinforcement for the side wall, serves as an enlarged slide surface for engagement with the drawer supporting runners.

The embodiment of the drawer side wall illustrated in FIG. 4 is also of similar construction as the side wall illustrated in FIGS. l-2 with the exception that a substantially horizontal slide and reinforcement flange 42 extends outwardly from lower edge of marginal part 18.

The embodiment of the drawer side wall illustrated in FIG. 5 is also similar in construction to the side wall illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 with the exception that a substantially horizontal foot or support part 44 is integrally formed at the lower edge 20 of marginal part 18 of the drawer side wall. Foot part 44 includes end portions 46 which extend from opposite sides of marginal part 18.

The embodiment of the drawer side wall of this invention illustrated in FIG. 6 is also similar to the drawer side wall illustrated in FIGS. l-2 with the exception that a lower web 48 extends inwardly from lower edge 20 of marginal part 18 and terminates in an upturned flange 50 which engages and preferably joins edge 26 of flange 22 so as to form a hollow box-like configuration in cooperation with flange 22 and marginal part 18.

What I claim is:

l. A drawer side wall comprising a substantially vertical panel part having substantially parallel upper and lower edges, a substantially: horizontal web extending outwardly from the lower edge of said panel part, a marginal part extending downwardly from the outer edge of said web and terminating in a lower edge substantially paralleling the upper edge of said panel part, and a first flange extending inwardly from said marginal part and being spaced below said web and above the lower edge of said marginal part, said first flange cooperating with said web and marginal part to define a channel spaced upwardly from the lower edge of said marginal part and opening inwardly, whereby a bottom may be marginally supported in said channel and anchored by a securing member driven downwardly through said web and channel and bottom, the width of said web as measured between said panel part and said marginal part being sufficient to accommodate said securing member.

2. The drawer side wall of claim 1 wherein said first flange is substantially parallel to said web.

3. The drawer side wall of claim 1 wherein said first flange is upwardly inclined.

4. The drawer side wall of claim I wherein a substantially horizontal second flange extends inwardly from the lower edge of said marginal part.

5. The drawer side wall of claim 1 and a substantially horizontal second flange extending outwardly from the lower edge of said marginal part.

6. The drawer side wall of claim 1 and a substantially horizontal support part joined to the lower edge of said marginal part, said support part including end portions extending from opposite sides of said marginal part.

7. The drawer side wall of claim 1 and a web part extending inwardly from the lower edge of said marginal part and terminating in an upturned flange which engages said first flange.

8. A drawer side wall comprising a substantially vertical panel member having a lower margin outwardly offset from the remainder of said panel member and interconnected thereto by a substantially horizontal web, said lower margin having a lower edge, said panel member including an integral flange spaced above said lower margin lower edge and extending inwardly from an intermediate portion of said lower margin and cooperating with said web and said lower margin to define a channel spaced upwardly from said lower edge of the lower margin and opening inwardly for the receipt of a side margin of a drawer bottom, whereby said bottom when received within said channel may be anchored by a securing member driven downwardly through said web and channel and bottom, the width of said web as measured between said lower margin and said remainder of said panel member being sufficient to accommodate said securing member.

9. In combination, a drawer side wall including a vertical panel part having a lower edge; a generally horizontal web extending outwardly from the lower edge of said panel part; a marginal part extending downwardly from the outer edge of said web and terminating in a lower edge; a flange extending inwardly from said marginal part; said flange spaced below said web and above said marginal part lower edge and cooperating with said web and marginal part to define a channel located outwardly of said panel part and above said marginal part lower edge; a drawer bottom having a side margin; said bottom side margin fitting within said channel between said web and flange with the inner face of said panel part and the upper face of said bottom forming a sharp corner at their junction; and attachment means extending downwardly through said web, bottom side margin, and flange; said attachment means including an upper portion located above said web and outwardly of said vertical panel and a lower portion protruding below said flange and terminating inwardly of said marginal part and above the level of said marginal part lower edge. 

1. A drawer side wall comprising a substantially vertical panel part having substantially parallel upper and lower edges, a substantially horizontal web extending outwardly from the lower edge of said panel part, a marginal part extending downwardly from the outer edge of said web and terminating in a lower edge substantially paralleling the upper edge of said panel part, and a first flange extending inwardly from said marginal part and being spaced below said web and above the lower edge of said marginal part, said first flange cooperating with said web and marginal part to define a channel spaced upwardly from the lower edge of said marginal part and opening inwardly, whereby a bottom may be marginally supported in said channel and anchored by a securing member driven downwardly through said web and channel and bottom, the width of said web as measured between said panel part and said marginal part being sufficient to accommodate said securing member.
 2. The drawer side wall of claim 1 wherein said first flange is substantially parallel to said web.
 3. The drawer side wall of claim 1 wherein said first flange is upwardly inclined.
 4. The drawer side wall of claim 1 wherein a substantially horizontal second flange extends inwardly from the lower edge of said marginal part.
 5. The drawer side wall of claim 1 and a substantially horizontal second flange extending outwardly from the lower edge of said marginal part.
 6. The drawer side wall of claim 1 and a substantially horizontal support part joined to the lower edge of said marginal part, said support part including end portions extending from opposite sides of said marginal part.
 7. The drawer side wall of claim 1 and a web part extending inwardly from the lower edge of said marginal part and terminating in an upturned flange which engages said first flange.
 8. A drawer side wall comprising a substantially vertical panel member having a lower margin outwardly offset from the remainder of said panel member and interconnected thereto by a substantially horizontal web, said lower margin having a lower edge, said panel member including an integral flange spaced above said lower margin lower edge and extending inwardly from an intermediate portion of said lower margin and cooperating with said web and said lower margin to define a channel spaced upwardly from said lower edge of the lower margin and opening inwardly for the receipt of a side margin of a drawer bottom, whereby said bottom when received within said channel may be anchored by a securing member driven downwardlY through said web and channel and bottom, the width of said web as measured between said lower margin and said remainder of said panel member being sufficient to accommodate said securing member.
 9. In combination, a drawer side wall including a vertical panel part having a lower edge; a generally horizontal web extending outwardly from the lower edge of said panel part; a marginal part extending downwardly from the outer edge of said web and terminating in a lower edge; a flange extending inwardly from said marginal part; said flange spaced below said web and above said marginal part lower edge and cooperating with said web and marginal part to define a channel located outwardly of said panel part and above said marginal part lower edge; a drawer bottom having a side margin; said bottom side margin fitting within said channel between said web and flange with the inner face of said panel part and the upper face of said bottom forming a sharp corner at their junction; and attachment means extending downwardly through said web, bottom side margin, and flange; said attachment means including an upper portion located above said web and outwardly of said vertical panel and a lower portion protruding below said flange and terminating inwardly of said marginal part and above the level of said marginal part lower edge. 